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Slama dealing with stress reaction in right elbow

Slama dealing with stress reaction in right elbow

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Twins got good news from the MRI on Anthony Slama's right elbow, as there are no serious problems, but the pitcher does have a stress reaction in one of the bones in his elbow.

Slama said that doctors told him it's an unusual injury for pitchers, but that it occurred due to the fact that his elbow hyperextends by 15 degrees more than most pitchers, creating bone-on-bone contact that caused the stress reaction.

"So it was just kind of an injury that came from that," Slama said. "There was nothing I really could have done. Now it's a matter of not getting it to flare up again. If that means taking a little bit more time to get it settled down now so that I can have a long season, then that's better."

The right-hander said he was relieved that the MRI showed no ligament damage or any loose bodies in his elbow. Slama played catch from 60 feet on Tuesday, and he said that doctors have told him as long as there are no setbacks that he can continue to ease his way back to the mound. But for now, it's unclear how long he'll be out of action.

"The good news is, it's not like I'm starting over at square one -- it's only been six days since I've thrown," Slama said.

"So it's not a long time off. My shoulder feels good; everything else feels good. We'll just get [this stress reaction] settled down and simmered down so I can get back out there. I don't have a timetable. Just see as you go."